1934 Packard 1107 Twelve

The Packard Twelve was the company's top-of-the-line automobile and many people believe the signature car of the Classic Era. It was a conservative automobile with elegant appointments and a refined chassis powered by a quiet 12-cylinder powerplant.

During this era, the cylinder war was in full swing, as was the Great Depression. However, the development of Packard's Twelve began years prior, dating back to the Cord L-29 and the Miller-engines front-drive race cars. Packard's management entertained the idea of the front-drive vehicle and commissioned the construction of a prototype. A 12-cylinder engine was also created for this new car, as the shorter length of a V-12, compared with Packard's inline eight, allowed more flexibility in packaging the front-drive chassis.

After testing revealed weakness with the front-drive chassis design, and development costs skyrocketed, Packard decided to abandon the project. Meanwhile, Cadillac had introduced their mighty 16- and 12-cylinder models, igniting a frenzy that would ripple throughout the automotive industry. Packard's response was to install their new 12-cylinder engine into Packard's proven Deluxe Eight chassis. When introduced, Packard dubbed their new creation the Twin Six, in honor of Packard's first V-12 which had been introduced 15 years earlier. By 1933, the name had been changed to the Packard Twelve. 1933 was also the last year for Packards to have flowing fenders and classic lines before switching to the streamlined look. In the front was a vee-shaped radiator with matching headlights and fender lights. Inside, the instrument panel was just as impressive, resembling a jeweler's displace case full of finely polished instruments and gauges.

The Packard Eight Series 1106 rested on a 134.87-inch wheelbase, the Series 1107 on a 141.87-inch platform, and the Series 1108 was the largest with a 146.87-inch wheelbase. All three were equipped with a twelve-cylinder engine with a 445.5 cubic-inch displacement, 6.0:1 compression ratio with cast heads, mechanical valve lifters, four main bearings, and delivered 160 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. It was backed by a three-speed selective synchromesh transmission with a single dry plate clutch with vacuum assist, and floor shift controls. Stopping power was provided by mechanical, vacuum-assisted brakes on all four wheels.

Bodystyles on the 142-inch Series 1107 included a convertible, phaeton, Sport Phaeton, Convertible Sedan, Convertible Victoria, seven-passenger Tourer, Club Sedan, Formal Sedan, Sedan, Coupe, and Rumbleseat Coupe. Prices ranged from $3,850 to $5,660.

Packard produced 960 examples of the Packard Eight in 1934 including the Series 1106, 1107, and 1108.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019